Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai (Japan, 2011)

A tale of revenge, honor and disgrace, centering on a poverty-stricken samurai who discovers the cruel fate of his ronin son-in-law, setting in motion a tense showdown of vengeance against the house of a well-respected feudal lord.

Just as its title implies, Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai is a remake of the great 1962 classic Harakiri (a.k.a. Seppuku). Being directed by Takashi Miike (13 Assassins, Ichi the Killer), it's a well-composed and beautifully shot movie where the violence takes a backseat and leaves more room for the unfolding of a tragic tale of samurai honor and revenge. It doesn't come close to the original, but Miike does a great job at honoring the minimalistic approach with the cinematography, and his idea of gore is of course way bloodier than it was in the 60's. 

Genre: Drama

Lady Snowblood (Japan, 1973)

Yuki's family is nearly wiped out before she is born by a band of criminals. These criminals kidnap and brutalize her mother but leave her alive. Later her mother ends up in prison with only revenge to keep her alive. She creates an instrument for this revenge by purposefully getting pregnant. Though she dies in childbirth, she makes sure that the child will be raised as an assassin to kill the criminals who destroyed her family. Young Yuki never knows the love of a family, but only killing and revenge.

This is the original film which more than inspired Quentin Tarantino to make Kill Bill. It's a violent, bloody road of vengeance that Yuki faces when she tracks down the four people that ruined her family. The story originates from a manga by the same author who wrote the Lone Wolf and Cub series, so the man really had a thing for gory samurai violence. Meiko Kaji (Female Prisoner 701) is such a foxy and cool main actress, and she also sang the main theme of the movie. 

A sequel was released in 1974, called Lady Snowblood 2: Love Song of Vengeance, but wasn't nearly as good as the first one.

Genre: Action/Drama/Thriller

Redline (Japan, 2010)

“Sweet” JP – so named for his endearing personality and his reluctance to weaponize his tricked-out Trans Am – is mixed up with the mafia, purposefully losing in a series of illegal intergalactic races that lead up to Redline, the most dangerous, rules-free championship in the universe. A freak occurrence slots JP in for Redline after he throws the qualifier, meaning he's got to contend with the other hardcore racers on a planet overflowing with menacing alien military technology. 

Produced by animation studio Madhouse, Redline took seven long years to complete. Yes. Seven years. In terms of animation quality, it doesn't take long until you see why. Everything imaginable explodes, implodes, crashes and gets smashed into a burning rain of scrap metal with unparalleled animation. So if you're going to see it, you better make sure it's in high quality, or else it doesn't live up to its full potential. 

Buckle up and get ready for a ride through space!

Genre: Animation/Action/Sci-Fi

Ong-Bak: Muay Thai Warrior (Thailand, 2003)

The story begins in a small and peaceful village. One day a sacred Buddha statuette called Ong Bak is stolen from the village by a immoral businessman who sells it for exorbitant profits. It soon becomes the task of a young man, Ting, to track the thief down to Bangkok voluntarily and reclaim the religious treasure. Along the way he uses his astonishing athleticism and traditional Muay Thai skills to combat his adversaries.

Ong-Bak is without a doubt one of the grand champions of martial art movies. It delivers a huge amount of both satisfying fist fights and chases full of crazy stunts through the narrow streets of Bangkok. 

The actor playing Ting trained for four years in preparation for the film, and it clearly shows in every bone breaking punch and face destroying kick. 

Genre: Action/Thriller

City of Life and Death (China, 2009)

Set in 1937, shortly after the beginning of the Second Sino-Japanese War, the Imperial Japanese Army has just captured Nanjing, capital of the Republic of China. What followed is historically known as the Nanjing Massacre, a period of several weeks wherein massive numbers of Chinese prisoners of war and civilians were killed.

One of the best historical epics ever made. It's a horrifying and brutal portrayal of one of the darkest pages in human history, where almost 300,000 lives were taken. Director Lu Chuan is a master behind the camera and doesn't leave a single detail out, making it a more effective and violent experience. It's definitely reminiscent of Schindler's List (1993), with shockingly violent scenes, being filmed in black-and-white and also based on true events. An unforgettable masterpiece about the cruelty mankind is capable of.

Genre: Drama/History/War

You Are the Apple of My Eye (Taiwan, 2011)

The year is 1994. For Ko-teng, school is all about slacking off and having fun. He's the class clown and never worries about anything. But eventually the teachers assign Chia-yi, every guy's love interest, to help him with his studies. Between the two students a bond is made that will last for many years to come.

... Apple of My Eye is a cute coming-of-age film and also a love story with a decent dose of humor. Some people might find it a bit too cheesy sometimes but stick with it and you'll hopefully appreciate its story about a bunch of friends who must learn to leave their childishness behind.

Genre: Comedy/Drama/Romance

The Raid: Redemption (Indonesia, 2011)

Deep in the heart of Jakarta's slums lies an impenetrable derelict apartment building which became a safe house for the cities most dangerous murderers, killers and gangsters. The rundown apartment block has been considered untouchable by rivals of the notorious crime lord Tama Riyadi and even the police. It all changes when an elite team is tasked with raiding the building in order to take down Tama once and for all.

From Indonesia, this beast of an action film is born and set loose to wreak havoc across the world. The story is next to non-existent, but things like character development and plot twists are very trivial matters when compared to the all-out war and countless shootout scenes that The Raid is filled with. 

Genre: Action/Crime

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (Taiwan/Hong Kong/China, 2000)

The disappearance of a magical jade sword spurs a breathtaking quest for the missing treasure. Li is embittered by the loss of his jade sword, and his unrequited pursuit of Yu is further complicated by the mysterious intrusion of an assassin. The identity of the assassin is gradually unveiled as another poignant tale of love begins to ravel with that of Li and Yu against the backdrop of Western China's magnificent landscape.

To me, this is one of the finest films ever made. The fight choreography is the work of a genius, every sword fight is gorgeous and the duel among the treetops is insanely beautiful. It probably would be best to just describe it as a work of art. It made a huge splash on release and became an instant classic, but if you somehow missed it, do yourself a favor and give it a watch.

Genre: Action/Adventure/Drama

Sanjuro (Japan, 1962)

Nine young samurai are worried about corruption in the leadership of their clan. They believe that the lord chamberlain, Mutsuta, is corrupt after tearing up a petition against organised crime. As they meet secretly at a temple and discuss their problem, a ronin emerges from another room where he had been resting. The ronin had overheard their plans, and suggests that the superintendent is in fact the real corrupt official. So now, a group of idealistic young men, determined to clean up the corruption in their town, are aided by a scruffy, cynical samurai who does not at all fit their concept of a noble warrior.

Sanjuro is a companion piece to Yojimbo (1961) and continues the story of the wandering ronin Sanjuro, once again played by Toshiro Mifune. It's a stand-alone film, but Toshiro plays the same care-free but skilled and good-natured samurai who this time has to help a group of warriors save their master. You can tell director Akira Kurosawa had a lot of fun with Mifune's character, making him a man who can do as he pleases as the other samurai and their enemies fights all around him, almost making him seem like a father overseeing a playground.

Genre: Action/Crime/Comedy

Yojimbo (Japan, 1961)

Sanjuro, a wandering samurai enters a rural town and discovers that there's a feud going on, involving the entire town. After learning from the innkeeper that the town is divided between two gangsters, he convinces each of two crime lords, Seibei and Ushitora, to hire him as protection from the other.

One of the greatest classics in film history, and possibly my personal favorite movie by Akira Kurosawa. Yojimbo is practically a masterclass in film making, and inspired countess of directors for years to come. The character Sanjuro is an unbeatable combination of a skillful samurai, comic relief and merciless justice. Almost like a superhero (or antihero) in Japan's Edo period. Mifune's character later develops a rivalry with Unosuke, played by Tatsuya Nakadai and they act beautifully together. Toshiro Mifune, who starred in 16 of Kurosawa's films, is perfect for the role and makes Sanjuro a character impossible not to like. In other words, Yojimbo is a great and often hilarious samurai story that should not be missed!

Genre: Action/Adventure

Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust (Japan, 2000)

It is many thousand years in the future. Vampires once ruled the night but have seen their numbers reduced by fearless bounty hunters. One such hunter is D, the halfbreed son of a human mother and vampire father. When a girl from a rich family is taken from her home by the vampire Meier Link, her father contracts both D and the Markus brothers (a rival group of hunters) to race to retrieve her. As the heroes fight their way through Meier's hired guards, they begin to suspect that the girl may have gone with him willingly.

Bloodlust is, without a doubt, one of the best vampire themed films ever. It does just about everything right, the bloodthirsty creatures of the night are beautiful in their human forms, and they prove to be seemingly impossible to kill. The superb visuals, intense action and flawless design makes it a truly enjoyable experience from start to finish. It could also serve as a great first taste of animation for those who haven't watched a great deal of that.

Any way you look at it, it's an extremely cool tale of bounty hunters, demons and vampires so powerful they make crosses twist and turn into scrap metal. Mandatory viewing at every Halloween.

Genre: Animation/Action/Adventure

Whispering Corridors (South Korea, 1998)

Whispering Corridors is set in a typical all-female high school in Korea and the story begins on the night before the first day of the new school year. A female teacher, Mrs Park, has discovered something mysterious and weird concerning a late pupil of the school called Jin-ju who had committed suicide in the school’s art rooms nine years previously, and her ghost was said to haunt the art rooms which had been closed up after the incident. However, before she can explain about her discovery she is attacked and murdered, and the next day she's found hanged.

Whispering Corridors is the first movie in its franchise, and it spawned four sequels. This one, and Voice (2005) are really the only ones you need to see, for the others are fairly mediocre. The horror aspects of these films are barely enough to give you a few chills, but they made a strong social commentary on the Korean school system, and they did it with a spooky ghost story in the lead. 

Genre: Drama/Horror

House of Flying Daggers (China/Hong Kong, 2004)

During the reign of the Tang dynasty in China, a secret organization called "The House of the Flying Daggers" rises and opposes the government. A police officer called Leo sends officer Jin to investigate a young dancer named Mei, claiming that she has ties to the "Flying Daggers". Leo arrests Mei, only to have Jin breaking her free in a plot to gain her trust and lead the police to the new leader of the secret organization. But things are far more complicated than they seem...

House of Flying Daggers is yet another visual masterpiece by director Zhang Yimou (Raise the Red Lantern, Hero) and is most definitely one of those movies you need to see at least once in your life. Beautiful action sequences is the name of the game and the film is filled with gorgeous cinematography as you would expect from the aforementioned director. 

Seriously cool and stylistic. 

Genre: Action/Adventure/Drama

Sword of the Stranger (Japan, 2007)

The film follows Kotaro, a young boy who is hunted by a group of swordsmen from Ming Dynasty China for mysterious reasons. Among the group is a fearsome Western fighter named Luo-Lang, whose only desire is to find a worthy opponent. Due to circumstances, Kotaro and his dog meet Nanashi, a nameless ronin who is haunted by memories of his past which have led him to avoid drawing his sword ever again. When the Ming clash with a Sengoku-era feudal lord, a proud general, and monks torn between faith and survival, the reason behind the Ming group's pursuit tests the bond between Kotaro and Nanashi.

Now, here's an animated film that completely reeks of quality. If you're interested in either samurai movies or anime, you can't go wrong with this one. Fantastic sword fights is the name of the game, and the soundtrack is just as epic as it is beautiful. 

Genre: Animation/Action/Adventure

Last Train Home (Canada/China, 2009)

Every spring, China's cities are plunged into chaos as 130 million migrant workers travel back to their home villages for the New Year's holiday. This mass exodus is the world's largest human migration, an epic spectacle that exposes a nation tragically caught between its rural past and industrial future. Working over several years in classic cinéma vérité style, director Lixin Fan travelled with one couple who have embarked on this annual trek for almost two decades. 

Last Train Home is a documentary that depicts one family's struggles and hardships and observes them as they try to unite for the holidays. New York Times picked Last Train Home as one of the most outstanding works from the 2010 Sundance by characterizing it as "a beautifully shot, haunting and haunted large scale portrait." The director, Lixin Fan, has a way of making you feel like a 'fly on the wall', like you're always there in the background, always hearing the conflicts, the fights and discussions about the future. A very personal and amazing film.